Brooklands Museum is located in Surrey, approximately 30 kilometers southwest of London. It showcases many classic aircraft, including the Concorde (visitors can enter the cabin). This site features the remains of the world’s first dedicated motor racing circuit and is also one of the birthplaces of British aviation and automotive engineering.

I made a special trip this time to see the Concorde here. Take the train from London Waterloo station to Weybridge, then a taxi ride of about 10 minutes will get you to Brooklands Museum.

Brooklands was one of the centers of early British aviation industry. In the early 20th century, aviation engineering began to develop here, gradually becoming an important base for aircraft design, manufacturing, and testing. In 1907, shortly after the Brooklands circuit was established, it became a venue for early flight trials. Many early British aircraft completed their maiden flights here. In 1908, the first British-powered aircraft, made entirely in Britain, test-flew at Brooklands, marking a significant milestone in British aviation history.

During the Second World War, Brooklands became one of the important bases for British aircraft manufacturing, providing a large number of fighters and bombers for the war effort. Brooklands was the location of the Vickers aircraft manufacturing factory, which was one of the major aircraft manufacturers in the UK. Vickers produced various classic aircraft, such as the Vickers Wellington bomber, which played an important role in World War II.

Brooklands is also closely related to the British-French collaborative Concorde project: • Part of the design and manufacturing work for the Concorde was completed at the Vickers plant at Brooklands. • The Concorde G-BBDG displayed in the museum is a prototype from the British test phase.

The Concorde represented the pinnacle of aviation engineering achievement in the 1960s, and as part of the Concorde project, Brooklands continued its tradition of innovation in the British aviation industry. Brooklands' work not only reflected the technical strength of the British aviation industry but also demonstrated the depth and synergy of cooperation between the UK and France. Through the G-BBDG prototype and related exhibitions, Brooklands Museum preserves and promotes the glorious history of the Concorde and records Brooklands' important role in its development. The Concorde's engines are the Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojet engines, jointly developed by Rolls-Royce and French Snecma. They are power plants tailored for the Concorde. Its design characteristics lie in meeting the dual demands of supersonic flight and efficient fuel performance. Model: Olympus 593 Mk 610 Type: Turbojet engine Thrust: Each engine provides a static sea level Thrust of 169 kN (38,050 lbs), higher during supersonic flight. Quantity: Each Concorde is equipped with 4 engines Features: Designed specifically for the Concorde's supersonic cruising speed (approximately Mach 2, 2,179 km/h), capable of operating efficiently at cruising altitudes of up to 18,300 meters. The high-pressure compressor and combustion chamber designs are optimized to maintain stable performance at high Mach numbers. Equipped with a complex intake management system that controls the speed and pressure of airflow entering the engine, ensuring stable Thrust under supersonic conditions while preventing engine Stall. Equipped with an afterburner (reheat) to provide extra Thrust during takeoff and acceleration to supersonic speeds. The afterburner is turned off during the cruise phase to improve fuel efficiency. Utilizes advanced high-temperature resistant materials to withstand the immense thermal stress and pressure of supersonic flight.

Brooklands Museum retains a large number of aviation-related exhibits and facilities, including aircraft, wind tunnels, and Runway remains, showcasing Brooklands’ important historical status as the birthplace of the aviation industry. Vickers merged with other aviation manufacturers to form the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), becoming part of the consolidation of the British aviation industry. Classic civil aviation models like the Vickers VC10 were produced during this period, serving mainly British Airways and the military. In 1977, BAC merged with other companies to become British Aerospace (BAe), later developing into BAE Systems.

Vickers VC10 A long-range civil airliner, known for high performance and comfort, serving British Airways and other airlines. It uses four jet engines mounted at the rear, suitable for takeoff and landing on short Runways, with superior performance especially in tropical and high-altitude airports. Hailed as an “elegant aircraft,” it was once one of the symbols of British civil aviation. Later, some were converted into tanker aircraft, serving in the Royal Air Force.

The BAC One-Eleven is a short-to-medium range twin-engined jet airliner designed and manufactured in the UK, and was one of the popular commercial aircraft between the 1960s and 1980s. The BAC 1-11 uses two turbofan engines mounted at the rear of the fuselage, optimizing wing aerodynamic design and reducing cabin noise. It uses Rolls-Royce Spey series engines, which are reliable and suitable for short Runway operations. The fuselage is compact with wings mounted below the fuselage, enhancing flight performance and maintenance convenience. The cabin is generally configured in a 3+3 layout, accommodating 70-119 passengers depending on the model and seat density. Suitable for operations at small airports, it was widely used in developing countries and remote regions.

The Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1 is the world's first jet fighter with Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing (VTOL/STOL) capabilities, widely regarded as one of the pioneering models of the "Harrier" series. Equipped with the Rolls-Royce "Pegasus" turbofan engine, it has adjustable nozzles used to provide vertical and horizontal Thrust, supporting operations from makeshift airfields or frontline bases.

Sitting in the Harrier fighter cockpit and chatting with the Brooklands Museum staff for over ten minutes was very satisfying.

In the photo above, the lever on the left side, closest to the body, is the control for the Pegasus engine’s adjustable nozzle angle. You can see the scale markings from 35 to 75 degrees.

I took quite a few photos, so I can’t introduce them all one by one in the blog. Please watch the videos on YouTube instead.